Better then – and in its way, including all of the above – we found ourselves in a very stylish cocktail bar!

Quite beautiful in design, by co-owners Tzou Lubroth Architects, and named after the Bob Dylan song, the bar is quite a relaxing hangout in the afternoon. Drinks are served with style and taste in crystal vessels, finished and garnished in true mixologist fashion.

Rumor has it on weekends that place can get a bit active. We have to check out before we comment; but if we judge by the surrounds, it could be quite the happening scene!

Across from fabled Café Sperl; If Dogs Run Free is a nice part of an afternoon itinerary of moseying down the picturesque local Gumpendorfer Straße!

Saint Charles Apotheke

Open Hours: 8:00 – 18:30 Monday to Friday 8:00 – 13:00 Saturday

Originally named “Apotheke zur heiligen Dreifaltigkeit“ (Holy Trinity Pharmacy) the Saint Charles Apotheke has been preparing and selling herbal remedies since 1886. They now also sell their own cosmetic line, as well as other natural cosmetic brands.

One can make an appointment with one of the pharmacist to get specially made tonics and creams designed for your personal ecosystem.

A full complement of quality remedies makes Saint Charles worth a visit, but don’t expect a very friendly staff. 🙂

Loos American Bar

Miniscule but grand, intimate yet expansive, Loos Bar American plays on an optical trick of parallel mirrors endlessly reflecting the onyx balustrades and reddish Skyros marble of the high ceiling. The actual bar is only 4.45m (14′) wide by 6.15 (20′) long

This dark, alluring, smoke filled bar, designed in 1908 by Adolf Loos, is a must for architecture lovers and drinkers alike.

The venerable bar is not very easy to find in the warmer months as the sign is lost in a flock of giant parasols, and the outside tables are overlay branded with modern mundane logos; not deserving of this aesthetic jewel that is Loos Bar American.

The “American Bar” is an original nod to its original concept – being an American style cocktail bar in this city of Coffee Houses. Keep an eye out to the back wall, where there is a portrate of writer Peter Altenberg; close friend of Adolf Loos.

Café Central

OPEN HOURS: 8:00am – 8:00pm Mon–Sat 10:00am – 6:00pm Sunday

(above photo) Pking Design

The Café Central was designed by architect Heinrich von Ferstel as a bank. It was converted in to a coffeehouse in 1860 and today finds itself one of the most famous of Vienna’s cafés.

Central was a regular meeting place for late 19th century intellectuals when it went by the name Die Schachhochschule. It’s clientell included architect Adolf Loos, Mathematician Leo Perutz and Novelist Hugo von Hofmannsthal.

Die Schachhochschule closed its doors at the end of WWII and reopened them after a great renovation in 1975 as the Café Central. Many now categorize it as a tourist trap, but it is worth the visit for it’s architecture and the remarkably conceived pumpkin soup!